Survivor Story: Clinical Trial Participant – Patty Virgilio

06/10/2013

I had just celebrated my 50th birthday with three wonderful trips and thought maybe I had eaten something that was irritating my stomach. The nagging pain persisted and testing showed a golf ball sized tumor in the body of my pancreas. I was diagnosed with stage III pancreatic cancer and I was not eligible for surgery, due to the tumor abutting the portal confluence.

With very aggressive chemotherapy and radiation, the tumor pulled away from the portal vein and I was eligible for surgery. It was truly a combination of a miracle and the finest doctors. I had surgery on March 27, 2013. I am currently receiving more chemotherapy and I am also participating in a clinical trial.

Attitude is everything. I wake up every day thinking "I am as alive today as everyone else.” It's how we choose to live each day that matters…I choose life! Besides, I'm not done nagging my husband and children!

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